Leaving on a jet plane

Finally! After 8 weeks of preparation, many hours of packing, too-numerous--to-count goodbyes, and more than a few tears, I am on my way to Afghanistan via Fort Benning, Georgia.

Packing was quite an ordeal last night; I thought I would be able to just throw everything in my duffel, since of course I travel light. :-) Ha ha!! It took me two tries to fit everything into the duffel, and I still had to leave a box of stuff for my neighbor to send to me once I get to Bagram!

I also have a new and different perspective of airport screening procedures. It's no fun in general, but it's really no fun in boots, dog tags, and a very full carry-on!!

Now it's just a matter of doing what I am told for a week at Ft. Benning. Images if ROTC Advanced Camp have been bombarding my brain all morning, but I can only hope that this experience is more personally rewarding and more interesting than that one.